I copied this off the Honolulu Advertiser

[Dwight]

here's the other local news paper write up













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May 9, 2005
Section: Main
Page: 4A


CONCERT REVIEW
Paiva Derek
Staff
Advertiser Final

Rain can't dampen Krall's style

Jazz star's piano playing, vocals make for stunning show

BY DEREK PAIVA, Advertiser Entertainment Writer

She playfully mocked the heavy downpour that started the moment she strolled on stage. She smiled and laughed when she knew her jazz trio and her own improv skills on the piano were on fire. She gushed about being Mrs. Elvis Costello whenever an opportunity arose.

Anyone who thinks that Diana Krall on disc is the epitome of studied ice cool perfection would do good to catch her live and in her self-proclaimed element at least once. Jazz purists might go from cool blue to hot red when Krall visibly enjoys herself on stage to the point of - gasp! - actually grinning, or refers to her husband as "pretty great." But whether or not you consider her the real jazz deal, Krall is at heart an exceedingly interesting performer, committed to her craft.

Krall's concert last night at the Waikiki Shell was the final stop on a year-plus tour supporting her "The Girl In The Other Room" disc. It was also her only stop on the tour's current leg - which ran through Asia, Australia and New Zealand - backed by a full symphony orchestra. And when it rained - as it so often did - it poured.

Krall took the stage with little fanfare, immediately seating herself at the piano she'd spend virtually her entire evening behind. She was flawlessly working the heck out of a long, form-fitting black dress with floral prints and daring slits up to here and down to there.

Tossing her head back and often mussing her long golden tresses with a wave of her hand, Krall jumped quickly into "I Love Being Here With You," "Stop This World" and "The Girl In The Other Room" backed only by the excellent jazz trio she had been touring with. The last of these tunes, she proudly announced with a sly smile, "was written by Elvis Costello and his very lucky and adoring wife."

One, two, three..sigh.

Conductor Matt Catingub and the Honolulu Symphony Pops lent Krall and her trio some lushly ar-ranged strings soon after on "Do It Again," and a spunky "Let's Fall In Love," the latter complete with apropos breathy vocals. Catingub and the Pops also lent just the right amount of hushed symphonic polish to Krall's gorgeous take on Victor Young's and Edward Heyman's "Love Letters."

Krall consistently matched her always succinct piano playing with often ambitious improvisational chops. At one moment warm and husky, at others a soft tender croon, Krall's sensually soothing voice worked its way through a roomful of emotional shadings.

A jazz musician with the good sense to hire very capable side-musicians who never fail to keep challenging her, Krall gave her trio lots to do. Bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Kareem Higgins turned in near-flawless play - Riggins with a seemingly limitless collection of drum fills, and Hurst taking off on any given solo run. Guitarist Anthony Wilson, in particular, was offered much opportunity to dazzle the audience with his creatively breakneck riffing.

Krall's set list was spread evenly across her last three records, and liberally sprinkled with a handful of jazz standards she has yet to put on record.

The best of the latter were done solely with her trio. They included a lovely run through "My Shining Hour" with tasty solos for everyone and a refined "Boulevard of Broken Dreams."

Even Krall's dubious decision to test out "On The Sunny Side Of The Street" given the weather - on cue, a particularly heavy downpour blew over the crowd the moment she began singing it - couldn't help but bring the house down with applause.

Still, you might want to give the concert hall - equipped with a very lovely and very effective roof - another try the next time you visit us in spring, Diana.

Reach Derek Paiva at dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser .com or 525-8005.

Photo caption:

Krall






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[bluerhondo]

Nice Review. Thanks.